AAA Carting, trash company accused of mob ties, to get Westchester County monitor

Jan. 25, 2013

FBI and federal agents escort suspects charged with extortion and other crimes in the carting industry in a case they say involves the mob Jan. 16, 2013. The suspects were charged in federal court in Manhattan. / AP Photo

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Westchester County is placing a monitor to oversee operations at a trash hauler tied by federal prosecutors to organized crime, as the company remains under contract to pick up garbage in five Lower Hudson Valley communities.

The Westchester Solid Waste Commission, which licenses haulers, will arrange for an independent auditor at its Feb. 21 meeting and AAA Carting, based in Peekskill and Cortlandt, will have to pay the bill.

Two AAA officers, Pasquale P. Cartalemi Jr. and his son, Pasquale L. Cartalemi, both of Cortlandt, were among the 32 people indicted Jan. 16 after a four-year investigation into organized crime’s influence on the carting industry.

Town officials in Putnam and Westchester counties say that despite the indictments they are legally bound to continue doing business with AAA Carting.

In Putnam, the hauler serves all homes in Southeast and Carmel, and in Westchester the residents in Pelham and Rye Brook and businesses in the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District.

The commission could have revoked or suspended the company’s license, or taken no action.

In Putnam, the Department of Health issues permits to haulers.

AAA Carting’s permit expires in February and the legal situation will be considered during a review, county officials said Thursday.

Representatives answering the telephone at AAA Carting said Thursday they had no comment.

For their part, town officials said they intend to honor the contracts and acknowledged that rubbish is getting picked up according to plan.

“We have a valid contract and until they break the contract or the feds do something with the company, which might come with a conviction if that happens, there is nothing we plan to do,” said Southeast Supervisor Tony Hay.

Two months ago, the town extended a three-year contract to continue through 2016.

Carmel’s first townwide garbage contract got off to a rough start this month with the indictment.

Town officials issued a statement saying the bidding the process was proper and the town is “bound” to honor the contract that began Jan. 1.

“To the extent that the indictments which have been announced involve members of AAA Carting, the Town Board will consult with its counsel regarding any affect on the existing contract,” the statement said.

Councilman Jonathan Schneider, citing a letter from Town Attorney Greg Folchetti, said “we don’t anticipate any disruption in services to residents.”

Pelham Administrator Rob Yamuder said his village is taking a “wait-and-see attitude.”

“They (AAA Carting) assured us the company intends to honor the contract,” he added.

In Rye Brook and at the Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront Business Improvement District services were continuing unchanged.